Fused electrical connector



June 20, 1961 WARD 2,989,609

FUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Jan. 19, 1960 INVENTOR.

@wsaz WA 20 A 7702 NE Y United States Patent 2,989,609 FUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Russell Ward, 630 'Elm St., Huntington, W. Va. Filed Jan. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 3,371 2 Claims. (Cl. 200-131) This invention relates to an electrical connector, and it more particularly relates to a connector incorporating a fuse therein.

Prior types of fused electrical connectors were not adequately waterproofed and therefore could not be efi'iciently used in mining operations where a large amount of water and dampness is constantly encountered. This results in many short circuits causing costly delays. In addition, when the fuse blows in these prior devices there often is emitted a spark or flame which is extremely hazardous in the event of accumulation of combustible gases in the mines. Furthermore, the prior devices were either overly complex and expensive or completely inelfective for an adequate performance of their functions.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome the aforesaid difliculties by providing a fused electrical connector which is completely waterproof and which will not emit any dangerous sparks or flame.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fused electrical connector of the aforesaid type which is very simple in construction and yet highly effective in performance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fused electrical connector of the aforesaid type which does not require the use of nuts, bolts, screws, etc. thereby eliminating the possibility of entanglements and rusting.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved electrical connector, of the character described, that is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and which is highly eflicient in operation.

With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical connector embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1 with the parts assembled but before vulcanization of the cover portions.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 2 in completely assembled condition with the covering vulcanized in place.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown an electrical connector, generally designated 10, comprising a voltage rated copper wire trolley line contact hook 12 having a base portion 14 with a hole 16 therein. This contact hook 12 is aligned with a voltage rated copper wire 18 having a base portion 20 with a hole 22 therein.

The wires 12 and 18 are positioned between a pair of asbestos fiber plates 24 and 26 to which they are connected by copper rivets 28 and 30 extending through the holes 16 and 22 respectively as well as through corresponding holes in the plates 24 and 26.

The wires 12 and 18 are connected by an amperage rated fuse plate 32 having holes 34 and 36 adjacent each end and a center hole 38. The holes 34 and 36 are positioned to receive the rivets 28 and '30 which also hold the plates 24 and 26 connected to the wires 12 and 18.

Patented June 20, 1961 ice The center hole 38 serves as an area of weakness in the fuse plate 32.

The wire 18 is provided with a clamp socket portion 40. This socket portion 40 releasably clamps a voltage rated cable 42 adapted to be spliced to an electrical feeder line (not shown).

After the parts have been assembled in the above manner, and as illustrated in 'FIG. 2, two rubber covers of elongated shape, designated 44 and 46, are placed on either side of the inner assembly and are then secured together at their peripheral edges by vulcanizing (as best shown in FIG. 4). Prior to completing the vulcanization process, the interior of the device is filled with a dry, powdered, chemically inert, electrically non-conductive filler material 48. Powdered asbestos is one example of a suitable inert filler material.

After the connector has been completely constructed, as described above, the vulcanized casing formed by the covers 44 and 46 plus the filler material 48 act to completely waterproof the connector dampness and water.

In the event of a grounded motor or trailing cable, the fuse 32 will blow, cutting off the power circuit immediately. In addition to serving as water-proofing, the inert filler and vulcanized casing will serve to prevent any sparking or flaming.

The above-described device is simple and can be quickly installed. There are no loose connections to cause heating, this being an added feature for greater safety and economy.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector comprising a longitudinally extending flat fuse plate apertured adjacent each longitudinal end, an apertured conducting terminal plate for each of said apertured ends of said fuse plate, a pair of longitudinally extending flat asbestos fiber plates of a size corresponding to said fuse plate and similarly apertured adjacent each longitudinal end, said fuse plate and one of said conducting terminal plates located at each end being sandwiched between said asbestos fiber plates with their end apertures and said terminal plate apertures in alignment, conducting rivet means extending through said aligned apertures securing said asbestos fiber plates, said terminal plates, and said fuse plate together, a conducting hook extending integrally from one of said conductor terminal plates, a conductor cable, and a socket releasably clamping said other conductor terminal plate to said conductor cable, a pair of elongated rubber covers of greater length and width than said sandwiched plates vulcanized about all said sandwiched plates and said clamping socket providing a one piece Waterproof cover having only said cable extending at one longitudinal end and said hook extending at the other longitudinal end.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1 and a dry, chemically inert and electrically non-conductive powdered asbestos filler material filling the interstices between said cover and said insulating plates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,288,680 Chandler July 7, 1942 2,302,820 Van Liempt Nov. 24, 1942 2,658,125 Whitfield Nov. 3, 1953 2,665,348 Kozacka Jan. 5, 1954 2,785,319 Simpson et al. Mar. 12, 1957 2,830,156 Burgess Apr. 8, 1958 2,851,557 Hansson et a1. Sept. 9, 1958 

